The Study of Religions in the Islamic Tradition

The study of religions or the comparative religion nowadays has become the focus of attention for any individual be it in the field of academic, preaching or public until various relevant intensive courses are offered. Various agencies, including Non-Governmental Organizations, organized the syllabus and courses to produce knowledgeable individuals in the science of comparative religion. This article discusses the position of the study of religions in the Islamic tradition. The issues that became the focus of discussion of this article are: [i] the study of religions according to the Qur 'an and al-Sunnah; [ii] the study of religions as sub-discussion of Ilm-al-Kalam (i.e. Islamic scholastic theology); and [iii] Pre-requisite knowledge in the study of religions. The writing of this article is based on a content analysis study The primal), sources underlying this work are the works of the Ilm-al-Kalam and the works of Muslim scholars in the study of religions. In conclusion, the study of religions is one of the two discourses of the 'Ilm-al-Kalam which illustrates the beliefs of infra religion or intra-Islam such as al-Firaq al-Islamiyyah (i.e. Schools of Islamic thought) and discourse on religious beliefs religions (inter religions), like Muqdranah al-Adyam (i.e. the Comparative Religion). In addition, the study of religions, particularly the dialogue between religions is not for amateurs. On the contrary, it is necessary for individuals to have a good level of knowledge in 'aqidah or specifically the naming of 'Ilm al-Kalam with the mastery of themes, issues and arguments in tafcil (i.e. studied individually or else the individual) will risk the danger of being derailed to be in the state of disorden become doubtful, error in judgement and disbelief. In short, the study ofreligions or the comparative religion in Islamic tradition is a sub-discipline of 'Ilm al-Kalam.